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Our Research

Small Business Majority uses extensive scientific opinion and economic research to provide small business owners, advocates, policymakers and others with the information and tools they need to navigate through complex small business issues. We commission opinion research on the national and state levels to determine small business owners’ views on a range of topics including taxes, budget and the economy; healthcare; immigration; energy; entrepreneurship; workforce issues; and government accountability. Our research also examines the effect these policies have on small businesses and the economy as a whole.

We use our research findings to communicate the need for strong small business-friendly measures to policymakers, and we educate small business owners and entrepreneurs on how these polices shape their bottom line. We also take our data and build support among those in the small business community for laws that will help small firms grow their business and make them more financially viable in this economy.

California small business owners broadly support proposed healthcare reforms that would expand access and address affordability, according to new scientific opinion polling. The poll found large majorities of California small business owners support expanding the existing system of premium subsidies to help more people purchase insurance. They also broadly support other proposals aimed at addressing underlying cost and affordability issues across the healthcare system.

This report compiles findings from focus groups and roundtable discussions with rural small business owners and other small business stakeholders in four states, as well as the results of a national poll of rural small business owners. The report also features recommendations for policymakers and service providers to increase opportunities for rural entrepreneurs.

Small Business Majority published a report that assesses the impact of the Affordable Care Act on small business owners, their employees and self-employed individuals. The report shows uninsured rates have dramatically decreased among small business owners and employees and small business healthcare costs have stabilized under the ACA.

New scientific opinion polling found small business owners believe investing in infrastructure is important to their business, and they feel the federal government should play a significant role in funding infrastructure projects. Additionally, small business owners strongly support high-speed broadband infrastructure projects, especially in rural areas.

Recent scientific opinion polling reveals small business and freelancers need more flexible retirement options. The poll found small employers struggle to offer retirement benefits, and are increasingly turning to independent workers to meet their needs. Additionally, small employers overwhelmingly support state-administered retirement savings plans and other policies that would make it easier for them to offer retirement benefits.

A new scientific opinion poll found small business owners support commonsense business regulations and do not feel current levels of regulation are a top business concern. The poll also found current levels of regulation are not a top concern for our nation’s small business owners, and they do not support rolling back all federal regulations on businesses.

Recent scientific opinion polling found small business owners are broadly supportive of a range of policies that would support responsible lending. Specifically, the poll found 77% of small business owners support a policy that would lift a cap on credit union lending and an overwhelming 87% support a “truth in lending” act for small business loans to increase transparency, among support for other policies.

Small business owners are strongly opposed to the FCC’s recent move to repeal rules enforcing net neutrality, according to recent scientific opinion polling. Specifically, the poll found that 56% of small business owners oppose the repeal of the rules, with nearly 4 in 10 (39%) strongly opposed.

Recent scientific opinion polling found small business owners overwhelmingly believe Congress should pass legislation requiring businesses to list their true identity when forming. Such legislation is being considered to fight fraud committed by anonymous shell companies, including when larger companies use these entities to unfairly compete for government small business set-asides. Additionally, the poll found small business owners think such legislation would benefit, rather than burden, their business by protecting them from fraud and allowing them to compete fairly for government contracts.

Recent scientific opinion polling found women small business owners believe access to reproductive health is critical to their economic success. The poll also found women entrepreneurs of color and younger business owners especially feel that access to birth control has been important to their ability to start their business and advance in their career